Planning ahead will pay off for travellers looking to make travel happen in 2017, as Emirates launches its Early Bird Global sale today.

From 1 September to 31 October 2016, Emirates is offering passengers competitive pricing on over a million seats across its global network for travel to more than 80 destinations around the world.

Economy Class flights* from Melbourne will start from $1,379 to Europe, $1,619 to South Africa, $1,479 to the UK and Ireland, and $1,449 to the Middle East, while Business Class fares will begin at $7,599 to Europe, $7,899 to South Africa, $7,779 to the UK/Ireland and $7,699 to the Middle East.

For those travelling from Adelaide, Economy Class flights** will start from $1,309 to Europe, $1,549 to South Africa, $1,399 to the UK and Ireland, and $1,449 to the Middle East, while Business Class fares will begin at $7,059 to Europe, $7,889 to South Africa, $7,249 to the UK/Ireland and $7,699 to the Middle East.

Passengers from Perth^ will be able to book Economy Class flights starting from $1,299 to Europe, $1,539 to South Africa, $1,399 to the UK and Ireland, $1,449 to the Americas and $1,449 to the Middle East. Business Class fares will begin at $6,809 to Europe, $8,279 to South Africa, $6,999 to the UK/Ireland, $7,579 to the Americas and $7,789 to the Middle East.

Emirates Skywards members can also take advantage of the programme’s new Cash+Miles offering, which allows customers to book a seat on any Emirates flight, in any class, and pay with a combination of cash and Skywards Miles, further bringing down the cost of the fare.

“Emirates was recently voted by travellers as the 2016 World’s Best Airline at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards, demonstrating our excellent customer service and world-class offering. With the launch of our Early Bird Global offer and more than a million seats to choose from, now is the perfect time to make it happen and experience the world’s best airline, while taking advantage of these affordable fares,” said Barry Brown, Emirates’ Divisional Vice President – Australasia.

In addition to being recognised at the recent Skytrax World Airline Awards, Emirates’ commitment to working with and supporting the travel industry was also recognised this year. The airline was recognised as the Best International Airline (Online) award at the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) 2016 National Travel Industry Awards for Excellence for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year.

Travellers that book an early bird fare will look forward to the journey as much as the destination itself, with the superior all-inclusive offering on-board Emirates’ modern fleet.

Families will appreciate the Emirates on-board offering, with every aspect of children’s travel experience catered for. Emirates’ extensive family offering includes complimentary Fly with Me Animals Soft Toys for infants and toddlers. While children aged between six and 12 years old will be entertained with specially designed Fly with Me Lonely Planet activity bags and the Fly With Me inflight magazine. The airline also offers more than 90 children’s channels on their ice entertainment system and special children’s meals on board.

Passengers who fly Emirates First and Business Class will take luxury to a new level. First Class customers that travel on Emirates’ A380 aircraft can freshen up in the two on-board shower spas, while both First and Business Class passengers can socialise at 40,000 feet in the popular Onboard Lounge while enjoying premium beverages and delicacies prepared by gourmet chefs.

Emirates operates 77 flights per week from Australia to its hub Dubai, with services from Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney, including seven daily A380 flights. From Dubai, passengers can take convenient onwards connections to the 82 destinations that are included as part of the Early Bird Global sale.

With seven daily A380 flights from Australia, passengers can also choose to enjoy a full A380 experience for their entire journey with seamless onwards connections to Emirates network of more than 40 A380 destinations globally.

The Emirates Early Bird Global offer is available for bookings from 1 September – 31 October 2016 for selected travel periods between 1 February and 1 September 2017. Other terms and conditions apply.

For more information on Emirates, including how to book flights and a complete list of terms and conditions, visit your local travel agent, call Emirates on 1300 303 777 or visit www.emirates.com/au